<< back to previous page

Co-operative launches new apprenticeship scheme

Published: Monday, 13 June 2011   Category: Food and drink

The Co-operative Group has launched a new apprenticeship scheme in the UK which will offer a range of graduate opportunities in all of its divisions.

The £9 million Apprenticeship Academy aims to provide a total of 2,000 jobs over the next three years, with applicants able to train in everything from legal services and corporate IT to pharmacy and farming.

It will also offer the first ever funeral industry apprenticeships in the UK.

"Through our new Apprenticeship Academy, we are offering young people across the UK proper jobs with qualifications and real career opportunities," said Peter Marks, the Co-operative's group chief executive.

"With a quarter of our employees under the age of 25, eventually we want to make them all apprentices and I would encourage other big businesses to follow suit."

Successful applicants will be able to earn a nationally-recognised qualification and potentially progress onto the firm's Management Development Programme.